Chapter Thirty-Two
MAX SURVEYED HERSELF in the mirror one last time. Her hair was shiny and full. The skinny leather pants she wore might not be perfect for showing up at a ranch, but they were perfect for getting Treat’s attention. She told herself that chaps were leather, so her pants weren’t so far off. Although the knee-high, stiletto boots were definitely not appropriate, which made them perfect. She wanted Treat to stand up and take notice of the changes she felt bursting from within.
She turned to the side to inspect her silhouette. Kaylie was right about the push-up bra. Who knew her boobs could look so perky? Or that a bra could make her torso look longer and slimmer? Wow, she could actually pull off hot.
Max tried her best to remain upright on the heels, but as she reached for the doorknob, her confidence began to fade. I look ridiculous. He loves how I look no matter what I wear. What am I doing? What was her goal? Treat. No, he wasn’t her goal. Being the woman he deserved was her goal. Being whole, accepting the sides of herself she’d thought she had to ignore for so long. She wanted Treat to see her as an unbroken woman and to know her past no longer owned her. Even if there might be times she slipped up or became insecure, she wanted him to see the confidence she held now. And if he wanted to go to Thailand, she’d find a way to be there with him.
She opened the bedroom door, and a bright flash sent her reeling backward as Kaylie snapped a picture.
“What the…?” She’d been so wrapped up in getting ready that she’d forgotten Kaylie was waiting for her.
“I couldn’t help it!” Kaylie squealed. “I wanted to come in so badly, but I knew you would never let me help you dress after letting me pick out all your clothes.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, Max, you are sinful! Look at you. Not that you need to dress like this, but look at you! No man could ever turn you away looking like that.”
She smiled at Kaylie’s supportive, overly enthusiastic comment. “Can I please carry you on my shoulder? I’m so nervous. What if he thinks I look ridiculous?”
“Max, take a deep breath, because I have a really important question to ask you.”
Max did as she was asked and blew her breath out slowly. “Okay, what?”
“Are you really ready for this?”
Max chewed on the worries she’d been trying not to think about. Was she making a mistake? No, she was sure she wasn’t. “My whole life I believed that compromising to make a relationship work would lead to resentment, but if Treat wants to change how he does business, that’s up to him. And if he doesn’t, then I’ll tell Chaz I need to telecommute.”
“What are you talking about? I was talking about the sexy clothes and the way they say take me seven ways to heaven.”
“Oh.” Max looked down at her outfit. “I wasn’t talking about that. Am I ready to be taken seven ways to heaven? Yes, please, if it’s by Treat.”
“Clearly.” Kaylie smiled and said, “Now, what were you talking about? All relationships require compromise. You know that, don’t you? Who’s living where? Who’s watching the kids so one of us can do something else? Who’s on top? Who gets to finish first in be—”
“Kaylie! I’m trying to be serious.” Max huffed.
“I know. I’m thoroughly confused right now, but just as long as you don’t have any reservations about his love for you.”
Max’s cheeks warmed. She put her hand over her heart and said, “He’d give up anything for me, and I want to show him I’ll do the same for him.”
“I hope I was never this swoony-eyed over Chaz, because you’re talking in tangents. Okay, go. I’ll lock up for you.” She glanced at the bedroom, which looked like it had thrown up clothes. “I’ll even unexplode your closet for you.”
Max kissed her on the cheek. “You’re the best.” On her way out the door, she turned back and said, “Thanks for asking me if I was sure. You’re a great friend.”
“Yeah, I’m the best,” Kaylie said with a toss of her hair. “Now get out of here.”
Max ran down the stairs in her stiletto heels like she’d been running in them all her life. Her mind clung to one singular goal—reaching Treat.